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Bethune-Cookman tries to keep businesslike approach for FSU

Wilfredo Lee Associated Press Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins yells out to players during Saturday's game against FIU in Miami.

The emotions of Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins were all over the map during a teleconference Tuesday, two days after the Wildcats beat a Football Bowl Subdivision team for the first time in history and five days before they will meet No. 8 Florida State (2-0) at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Bethune (3-0) dispatched Florida International 34-13 in Miami last Saturday for the 10th victory this season by a team in the Football Championship Subdivision over an FBS team. On that note alone, Jenkins tried to be businesslike about beating the Sun Belt member.

“It was a good victory, as all victories are,” he said. “It was a game that we went in with the same attitude we approach every game. Our first FBS victory? It was the same as winning all other games.”

But later in the call, he couldn’t contain himself.

“This team is excited,” he said. “Excitement is in the air for our program and the university.”

It was the same when discussing the Seminoles, who haven’t lost to a team currently in the FCS since falling 9-0 to William & Mary in 1959. FSU is 28-0-1 since against that division.

“This will be a heavyweight fight, two championship-caliber teams who want the same thing,” Jenkins said in seemingly putting his team on the same level as Florida State. “We’re willing to go toe-to-toe with them.”

A few minutes after that, Jenkins was almost deferential about the game.

“We’re grateful and thankful that they saw fit to let us line up against them and play this football game,” Jenkins said.

Whether Jenkins is trying to motivate his team or try to cushion a possible rout is something only he knows. But there’s no denying that these are heady days for the Wildcats, who are 19th in the latest FCS poll and first in the Sheridan Poll for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Bethune is 30-8 over the last four seasons under Jenkins, and won or shared two MEAC titles. With a deep, talented stable of running backs carrying the load while Jenkins figures out who his quarterback will be (he’s tried three so far) and a defense ranked first in the nation in the FCS, the Wildcats are early favorites to qualify for the FCS playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

Anthony Jordan gained 150 yards rushing against FIU, and Cary White had 69 yards and two TDs. Isidore Jackson, the leading rusher through the first two games, didn’t play because of disciplinary reasons and the ’Cats still rushed for 311 yards.

Bethune is 10th among FCS schools in rushing, and helping grade the road have been two area players on the starting offensive line, senior left tackle Alex Monroe of First Coast High and junior center Brian Dorsey of Ribault.

Monroe and Dorsey are among eight First Coast players on the Wildcats roster. Five of the remaining six are not among the players on the two-deep depth chart. Freshman Darian Baker of Raines is the primary kickoff returner, with a 31.0 average on three returns.

Redshirt junior quarterback Quentin Williams of Tampa made the strongest case for earning the starting job for good when he ran for 69 yards and a score, and completed 6-of-11 passes last week. However, Jenkins said he still hasn’t made up his mind about who will start against FSU.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said all the right things but didn’t sound scripted when he talked about the Wildcats.

“They’re running the ball very well on offense, are very diverse on defense and sound in the kicking game. Dadgumit, they’re a good football team, and we knew it, and it does not surprise me,” he said during his usual Monday news conference. “The coach has done a tremendous job. They’ve got the athletes.”